Birth Control FAQs: The Pill

Many women think they have a good understanding of birth control pills. Either they have taken them personally or have collected bits of information through word of mouth. There is much more to birth control pills than what meets the eye. You should make it your business to understand them fully given you are relying on them for something as important as preventing pregnancy.

Below you will find an in-depth look into birth control pills that will cover every aspect of them. From their history and origins to side effects and risks, and even how to obtain the prescription that best fits your needs. If you have considered birth control previously but thought twice because you didn’t have enough information, then read on to find answers to all your questions.

The Evolution of The Pill

Over the past five decades, women’s access to birth control, despite marital status, has changed completely. Before the 1960’s it was illegal to provide information about birth control let alone supply it. This led women to have multiple pregnancies and miscarriages, which took a toll on their bodies.

Should the pregnancies actually be carried out, it sometimes pushed the parents into poverty as they could not support so many children. Presently, birth control options are available to women all over the globe and in many different forms.

Women can now choose a birth control method such as a condom that is used once and then discarded with no medical impact. For women who are looking for an effective and fairly long term solution, they are able to provide their doctor with a medical history and get a prescription for the birth control pill with the appropriate dose of hormones.

For a woman who wants a birth control method that is prescribed and inserted once, and effective for a few years at a time, the IUD or birth control implant is an option. Women are now given the option to be able to access birth control not only through their doctor but through an online service where they are medically evaluated and obtain a birth control prescription through a safe and secure system.

Some states have started providing extra optional training for pharmacists who are interested in being able to evaluate a patient’s medical history, and for up to three years be able to provide them with the birth control pill without a prescription from a doctor. Margaret Sanger helped to begin the incredible access to information and birth control methods that women have today.

What is the History of Birth Control Pills?

Beginning around 3000 BC women were no longer dependant on withdrawal and abstinence as the only methods of birth control. Around this time, people began fashioning condoms by using fish bladders, animal intestines and linen sheaths, as well as a number of other terrifying things.

As time went on, the development of more reliable birth control methods began, but it wasn’t until during the 1950s that Margaret Sanger, a nurse, raised the funds and underwrote the research necessary for the development of the first human birth control pill.

In 1923 a loophole in the law enabled Margaret to open a clinic staffed by social workers and female physicians to provide the information to women. This clinic would become the first Planned Parenthood.

In 1950 Margaret was able to raise $150,000 to fund the research to underwrite the documents for the creation of the first human birth control pill. Following the completion of the research, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Enovid, the first birth control pill available to married couples.

Sanger worked to develop a pill for females to ingest that would inhibit the body’s ability to get pregnant by altering cervical mucus, uterine lining and changing or eliminating ovulation for part of a woman’s monthly cycle. Beginning in 1965 the birth control pill was available by prescription to married couples and by 1972 was available to women regardless of marital status.

When the pill was legalized, more and more research went into its further development, bringing in the choice of twenty-one, twenty-eight or ninety-one-day pill packs. This allowed each individual to choose which package fits best with their lifestyle and desired outcome from the pill. As more women use the pill other positive side effects have been shown.

Some of these side effects include easing pain and discomfort from cramping during a cycle, helping to clear acne and reducing the number of blemishes, ease of other symptoms stemming from a woman’s monthly cycle such as headaches.

If the pill prescribed is a combination of estrogen and progesterone, the most common pill prescribed, you are able to know exactly when you will begin your period every month. On the mini pill, a progesterone only pill, you take a pill every day which all contain the same dose of the hormone. This pill can cause irregular bleeding but is safe for women who are breastfeeding.

How Do Birth Control Pills Work?

In short, the goal of the pills is to prevent ovulation or to keep the egg from attaching to the lining of the uterus. Thus, making it impossible for fertilization or growth. There are two types of birth control pills; combination pills or mini-pills.

Combination Pills

Combination pills are a blend of estrogen and progesterone and are the most common type of pill. The combination pills are a blend of these two hormones which work together to prevent ovulation, this is when an egg is released during a woman’s monthly cycle. This works to prevent pregnancy because if there is no fertilized egg, there is no pregnancy.

The combination pills also thicken the mucus that surrounds the cervix, making it extremely difficult for any sperm to be able to enter the uterus and fertilize any eggs that could be released. Finally the combination pill aids in the prevention of pregnancy by altering the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for an egg to attach and prepare for fertilization.

Low Dose Progesterone Pills

Also referred to as a ‘mini pill’, this pill does not contain any estrogen, making it slightly less effective. The mini pill works like the combination pills, by thickening the cervical mucus and altering the uterine lining. The mini pill can also affect the ovulation of the patient.

With both birth control pills, it is important to ensure you are taking the pill at a consistent time of day, without missing a dose. If a pill is missed in either the combination pill pack or the mini pill pack, the user is not protected against pregnancy and will need to use an alternate form of birth control such as a condom.

It is also important to remember that birth control pills are a method to prevent pregnancy, but do not provide protection against any sexually transmitted diseases (STD).

How Do I Take Birth Control Pills?

The pills are taken orally and come in a variety of amounts and combinations to fit the needs of everyone. The combination pill is offered in three types of packs; twenty-one day, twenty-eight day and ninety-one-day packs. In the twenty-one daypack, there are twenty-one active pills, meaning every pill is a hormonal dose. For three consecutive weeks, the twenty-one pills are taken once daily.

After the pills have all been taken, you then simply do not take any pills for seven days, once the seven days have passed you are ready to begin the next pill pack. This pill pack is best for people who are comfortable having seven days of no pills and will remember when to begin the next pill pack.

For those who are more comfortable being in a routine of taking a pill every single day, a twenty-eight pill pack is a good option. Twenty-one of these is active pills, while the other seven are merely placebos.

The ninety-one-day packs are twelve weeks of active pills with one week of inactive pills between packs. This pack allows women to only have their period once every three months. This pill option also allows prevention against pregnancy even if you are sexually active during the week of inactive pills.

The mini pill differs slightly from any of the combination pill options as it is crucial that it is taken daily within the same three hour period to be effective. With any of the birth control pill options, there are possible side effects that are possible. The side effects vary between combination and progesterone only pills but are important to be aware of.

What are the Side Effects of Taking Birth Control?

Like with any drug, there are certain side effects that are experienced as the body adapts to the new levels of hormones in the body, such as acne, headaches or mood changes.

Some of the possible negative side effects include irregular bleeding, nausea, headaches, acne, weight gain and a decrease in sexual drive. Luckily there are some positive ones as well, like decreasing acne or regulating menstrual periods.

These are usually seen within the first few weeks to months, caused by the introduction of new hormone levels that your body naturally produces. Some of the side effects can be positive but negative side effects are also possible.

Although many people will experience some or all of the mild side effects, it is also possible for people to experience rare but serious ones as well. When taking your birth control pill it is recommended to keep track of the symptoms you experience and their duration as they can be warning signs of a more serious complication that could arise.

For example, aura migraines are an uncommon but possible side effect of the birth control pill that can be a sign of blood clots developing in the body which can put the user at risk for heart attack or stroke.

All of the side effects, even if extremely rare, can be found with any other necessary information on the leaflet inside each box of birth control pills and will also be provided by your doctor upon being prescribed the birth control.

There are certain factors, such as smoking, that can put the user at a higher risk of developing serious but rare side effects. It is important to remember that the risk of developing serious side effects is extremely low when taking the birth control pill.

On a positive note, the pill can aid in preventing or reducing acne, ovarian or breast cysts, bone thinning, anemia, premenstrual syndrome and cancers within the ovaries and endometrium. When your doctor is deciding which birth control pill to prescribe it is important to consider your lifestyle and any other medical concerns or events you have had.

A doctor may ask if you are taking any herbal supplements, have had a baby, miscarriage or abortion recently, are breastfeeding, have been diagnosed with depression, are taking medication for epilepsy, or if you have any history of liver, heart or kidney disease.

These pieces of information are crucial for your doctor to have a clear history of your health which will enable them to properly select the combination pill with the correct dose of both estrogen and progesterone. Based on medical history or if you are breastfeeding your doctor may prescribe the mini pill instead.

Regardless of the pill you are prescribed it is recommended to track any side effects you experience to ensure you are on the best birth control pill for your body and natural hormone levels.

Some of the less common side effects that can be experienced are:

Blood Clots (Which Can Lead to a Stroke or Heart Attack)

Gallbladder Disease

Liver Cancers

High Blood Pressure

Aura Migraines (Which Can Signal a Stroke)

Some of the warning signs can include but are not limited to chest discomfort, trouble breathing, soreness in legs or stomach, severe headaches, yellow tint in skin or eyes, flashes or lines in vision, and sudden jaw or back pain.

It is important to alert your doctor if you experience these symptoms while taking your birth control pill as they can be indicators that a more serious problem such as blood clots forming.

If you experience these symptoms your doctor will be able to recommend the next best steps, which could be changing the pill you are taking to one contains different levels of estrogen and progesterone, switching you to the progesterone only pill, or it is possible that depending on the symptoms and their severity that your doctor may recommend stopping taking your birth control all together.

Birth Control and Yeast Infections

It is also possible with birth control pills containing a lower dose of estrogen to increase the frequency of having yeast infections. Although most of these side effects are rare, keeping track of them is crucial when working with your doctor to find the right birth control pill for you to help effectively prevent pregnancy.

How Effective is Birth Control Pills?

Birth control pills are able to provide up to 99% accuracy in preventing pregnancy, meaning that approximately one out of every one hundred users will have an unplanned pregnancy while taking the birth control pill perfectly each year. The majority of users fall into the typical use category since taking the birth control pill perfectly is a challenge.

With typical use the birth control pill is able to be 91% effective, meaning approximately nine out of every one hundred users experience an unplanned pregnancy in a year. It is important to remember to take your birth control pill at the same time every day, this is especially important with the mini pill.

The effectiveness of the birth control pill is completely dependant on the type of pill prescribed (combination or mini pill) and the ability of the user to follow the exact instructions the doctor provides and written in detail in the leaflet inside each package of birth control pills.

When referring to the use of birth control the usage is categorized into perfect usage and typical usage. Perfect usage is when the user follows the directions without any flaws such as missing a dose or taking their pill at a different time of day. When following perfect usage the birth control pill is able to perform at its best and provide the best protection against pregnancy within its capabilities.

There are also other things that can lower the effectiveness of your birth control pill. Women who are overweight may notice a slight decrease in the effectiveness of their birth control pill.

Experiencing vomiting and diarrhea for more than forty-eight hours can also reduce the effectiveness of your birth control pill. Medications such as rifampin, griseofulvin, some anti-seizure and HIV medication and the herbal supplement St. John’s Wort.

How to Choose the Birth Control That’s Right for You

When choosing your birth control, it is important for your doctor to be provided with a detailed family history and personal health history. It is also important for your doctor to be informed of any lifestyle choices such a smoking or drinking and of current medications.

All of these are important pieces when making a decision of which birth control pill is right for you because some birth control pills are better suited to be paired with other medications or are safe to be prescribed if the patients presents with certain medical conditions.

Combination pills can be taken in pill packs of twenty-one, twenty-eight and ninety-one days. If you are looking for protection against pregnancy, a lighter period and for your period to come less frequently, the ninety-one day combination pill pack is a good option to explore with your doctor as they allow for your period to come once every three months.

For those who are confident in their ability to remember which day to begin taking their birth control pills after the seven days following the completion of a pack, the twenty one day pack is a popular option.

Women who are over the age of thirty five and are smokers are not able to take medications containing estrogen because the nicotine in cigarettes increases blood pressure while the estrogen hormone adds stress to the blood vessels. The combination of these creates a higher risk for cardiovascular complications. For these women, the mini pill is prescribed as it is a progesterone only pill.

How Long Does it Take for Birth Control Pills to Work?

A safe time frame to remember for birth control pills is seven days from the date you take the very first pill. The exact time frame for each pill to start to be effective is not only dependant on the type of pill you have been prescribed but when during your monthly cycle that you begin the pills.

If you have been prescribed a combination pill and begin to take the pills within the five days after the start of your period, you will be protected right away.

For example, if you were to begin your period on a Wednesday, beginning you pill pack anytime before Monday morning will allow the birth control pill to be effective immediately. If you begin a combination pill at any other time during the month you will be protection seven days after taking the first pill. During that time it is important to use another method of birth control such as condoms.

The progesterone only, or the mini pill, differs from the combination pill as it becomes effective forty-eight hours after you begin taking the prescription. You are able to begin the mini pill at any time during the month. Choosing the best time to begin the mini pill is something that the doctor can help you decide on when prescribing you the mini birth control pill.

Just like those who are prescribed the combination pills, it is crucial during the forty-eight hours of ineffectiveness of the mini birth control pill that a backup form of protection is used. In most states a prescription is required to be able to begin the birth control pill, however, in some states, there is no prescription needed at all.

Can I Get Birth Control Pills Without a Prescription?

The vast majority of the states in America require patients to meet with their doctor and compile a detailed medical history. It is after this meeting has been completed that the prescribing doctor is able to decide if the birth control pill is a safe and suitable option for your concerns. This can be a time-consuming process as many doctors offices have business hours that require time away from work.

In six states, training has been developed and implemented for pharmacists to be able to provide birth control methods, including the birth control pill without a prescription from a doctor. In January 2016 Oregon was the first state to provide the extra training to allow pharmacists to provide the birth control pill without a prescription.

Following soon after in April 2016 California also implemented this training. Most recently in 2018 New Mexico, Tennessee and Washington have begun to provide the training to those pharmacists who are interested.

By training pharmacists to be able to provide women with the birth control pill, it brings hope that birth control will become even more accessible to women to help them keep in line with their family planning and to bring the number of unintended pregnancies down.

There are many criteria the pharmacists have to meet to be able to provide the best-suited birth control pill but to also provide the patient with the privacy needed while gaining a medical history.

How Do I Get Birth Control Pills Without a Prescription?

To be able to obtain the birth control pill in New Mexico, California, Oregon or Colorado, you must first locate a pharmacy that has completed the training and been approved to follow the steps when choosing a birth control pill to provide to each customer.

The pharmacists have to not only have completed set training to be able to provide the birth control to patients, but also have to be able to meet certain requirements regarding the building.

For example, once you locate your nearest pharmacy that provides birth control without a prescription, you will be required to fill out a medical history questionnaire which will include any current medications you take and lifestyle questions.

The pharmacist will then take a blood pressure reading to review with the medical history and questionnaire. All of this is done in a private room within the pharmacy to respect privacy and keep all information provided confidential. If after review the pharmacist thinks that the birth control pill is a safe birth control option for you, they will be able to provide the best suited pill for you.

A pharmacist is able to do this for countless women, however, there are limitations in place. The pharmacist is unable to provide minors with the birth control pill. They are also unable to provide the birth control pill without a prescription for more than three years before the woman is required by law to see a doctor and obtain a prescription to be able to continue using the birth control pill.

How Much Do Birth Control Pills Cost with no Prescription?

Simply put, birth control pills can add up to approximately $600 per year for various reasons. When a pharmacist has completed their training and is now eligible to provide birth control pills without a prescription, they are adding a service their pharmacy is providing to the public but isn’t being paid extra to do so.

To account for extra costs including staffing, time and supplies, there is a fee that is approximately $45 USD to complete the questionnaire and receive the service from the pharmacist. This fee is often not covered by insurance companies.

If you are approved to receive the birth control pill and your insurance company covers the cost of birth control, the $45 fee may be the only cost associated with obtaining your birth control. If your insurance does not cover the cost of birth control pills or if you do not have health insurance, the birth control pills can cost you up to $50 per pack per month.

It is important to contact your insurance company prior to beginning the birth control pill without a prescription to make sure that you are able to properly budget yourself based on the cost of the birth control. There are many brand name birth control pills available, however, there are also off brand birth control pills available that are just as safe and reliable.

If you do not have health insurance or your insurance does not cover birth control pills, this is an option that your pharmacist can go over with you, including their individual costs. If access is still an issue, there is the option of receiving your birth control pills through an online service.

How Do I Buy Birth Control Pills Online Through Nurx.com?

With more information being easily accessible the demand for birth control has stayed high. Constant technological advancements have made it possible for the development of tech-enabled companies, such as Nurx.

Companies are now able to provide people who live in rural areas or that simply prefer the convenience of accessing a prescription to birth control from their home the ability to connect with a licensed physician in their state.

The process is performed through an encrypted online service to ensure your information is kept confidential. Nurx does not replace the need for you to have a doctor, it simply offers a new method of communication that works with even the most demanding schedules.

When ordering birth control pills online some companies will fax you the prescription and you will need to bring that to the pharmacy to have it filled.

Nurx takes care of all of these details for you to make getting your birth control hassle free. Nurx charges the copay that is set by your insurance company, which with some companies is as low as $0.

Monthly renewals are taken care of by Nurx for the year until a renewal is required. If you do not have insurance, you are still eligible to submit a request for birth control to the representing doctor through Nurx.

The brands of birth control pills offered by Nurx start at $15 per pack. All of the medications provided through Nurx are safe and and follow the same rules and medical standard as the medications provided by your family doctor.

How Do Birth Control Pills Stop Me From Getting Pregnant?

It is well known that the birth control pill is an effective and reliable method of preventing an unintended pregnancy, however, birth control pills can fail for a number of reasons.

Factors such as certain antibiotics or herbal supplements can affect the birth controls ability to work. It is important to be aware of which aspects of your lifestyle could negatively affect the birth controls ability to prevent pregnancy. There is still the very slight chance with perfect administration that you can get pregnant while taking the birth control pill.

If you do happen to become pregnant while on the birth control pill and continue to take the pill before finding out that you are pregnant, research has shown that it is not harmful to the fetus within the first few weeks of pregnancy.

If you notice symptoms of pregnancy it is important to see a doctor to confirm the pregnancy, be given all necessary information of variety of next steps available to you, and for support in making these choices. It is also common for women who have recently given birth to begin or return to taking the birth control pill as in the months following giving birth, a woman is more fertile than usual.

How Likely is it to Get Pregnant on Birth Control Pills?

Although unlikely, it is possible to become pregnant while taking the birth control pill. The effectiveness of the birth control pill, regardless of the brand, dose or type, is strongly affected by the accuracy of administration by the user.

When a birth control pill is taken perfectly, it allows for 99% accuracy in preventing pregnancy. This being said, perfect use is difficult to achieve so the majority of users fall into a category of typical use.

When birth control users fall into a typical use category the accuracy of preventing pregnancy is 91%. The most commonly known factor in the effectiveness of the birth control pill is the person’s ability to not miss a dose.

It is recommended to avoid this to add taking your birth control into a part of your daily routine that is completely consistent every day. It is also recommended to not miss a dose of the placebo pills to keep yourself in a routine.

Some other factors that can affect the birth controls ability to prevent pregnancy are drug and alcohol consumption, vomiting soon after taking your birth control therefore not allowing the body enough time to absorb the hormones, the herbal supplement St John’s Wort which effects the livers metabolism and other prescription medication as some cannot be mixed with some or all of the hormones contained by the birth control pill.

When birth control is taken correctly, becoming pregnant should not be a top concern for users as there is roughly a 0.1-0.9% chance of becoming pregnant.

How Does Taking Birth Control Pills Affect Breastfeeding?

It is possible that taking a combination pill (estrogen and progesterone) will reduce the amount of breast milk your body is able to produce and the quality of the breast milk is affected if combination pills are taken within the first three weeks of nursing. Trace amounts of the hormones from your birth control pill could also appear in the breast milk but has been shown to be unlikely to have any effect on your infant.

Research has also shown a slight increase in the occurrence of breast, cervical and liver cancers in women who have been taking the birth control pill in recent years. With breast cancer specifically the risk of development lowered back to the national average after ten years without any use of the birth control pill.

Can I Breastfeed While Taking Birth Control Pills?

After giving birth it is common for new mothers to breastfeed if they have the ability to do so. When a mother is exclusively breastfeeding, the body naturally will suppress fertility to allow the mother to care for the newborn. During a visit with your doctor in the weeks following delivery it is common to ask about family planning and birth control options.

Even though the body will naturally try to suppress fertility, birth control pills may be recommended as the woman’s period may return as soon as she is no longer feeding as often. When considering beginning or returning to taking the birth control pill with the plans of continuing breastfeeding most women will be recommended the mini pill because it is progesterone only.

Although there is only a slight chance that any estrogen from a combination pill will pass through the milk to the infant, it is more of a concern that the hormone dose could negatively affect a woman’s breast milk supply. The decrease in milk supply is more commonly noticed in women who are nursing an older baby or those who are already experiencing a lower volume of breast milk being produced.

The mini pill has not shown to have a negative effect on breast milk supply but does not contain any placebo pills which makes it important to ensure every pill is taken on time. Overall there are safe and reliable options available to women who are looking to take the birth control pill while still breastfeeding their infant.

How Do I Stop Taking Birth Control Pills?

If you have decided that you are ready to try and conceive a child or simply do not want to continue taking your birth control pill, there are steps to take and side effects to be aware of. It is also important to know how long the hormones from the birth control pill will stay in your system and the other forms of birth control that will be available to you.

When beginning the process of being prescribed the birth control pill, you can ask about the steps to take to discontinue the use of your birth control pill or you can book a follow-up appointment once you are ready.

It is important to highlight that there is no negative hormonal effect to take the birth control pill indefinitely. If family planning is the reason for no longer taking the birth control pill, it is possible but not guaranteed that you can get pregnant once you are no longer taking your pill.

Once you stop taking the birth control pill, you begin to ovulate again which is what allows a pregnancy to occur. For some woman it can take many months to become pregnant when others are experience no delay. This is because when on the birth control pill one of the side effects is a lighter period, meaning the endometrial lining is thinner.

The thinner lining of the uterus will begin to thicken after the birth control pill is no longer being taken but how long this process takes is different for every woman. Once the endometrial lining is back to a thickness that will allow for an embryo to implant, allowing for you to become pregnant.

If you are considering discontinuing your use of the birth control pill because of long-term health-related concerns, it is important to remember that the use of the birth control pill has shown a slight increase in the risk of breast cancer, but a large decrease in the risk of endometrial, ovarian, cervical and colorectal cancers. It is always best to contact your doctor before stopping or changing your birth control pill.

Can I Just Stop Taking Birth Control Pills?

The first step when stopping the birth control pill should always be the doctor’s visit. During this quick visit, your doctor will be able to go over any questions or concern you have regarding becoming pregnant or health side effects. Your doctor will also be able to provide you with valuable family planning information and other methods of birth control that are available to you.

The next step is to prepare for the side effects that can come with stopping the birth control pill. If you began taking the birth control pill to ease severe cramps during your period or to help heal your acne, it is possible that these will return. Have any items necessary to help you through these close at hand and remember that your period will most likely be heavier after the birth control pill.

When it comes to when during a pill pack to stop taking the birth control, it is easiest to stop once you have taken the last pill in the pack. This is not a rule though as you can stop the use of your birth control at any point in a pack.

Once you are no longer taking the birth control you may experience irregular periods. This should regulate itself naturally within three months. If your periods have not returned to a normal monthly routine after three months or you are experiencing heavy bleeding (a pad or tampon every hour) or pain that is not eased by any at home pain remedies or medication.

How Long Do Birth Control Pills Stay in My System?

If you are on the pill for a shorter period of time it will take the synthetic hormones only a few days to leave your system. You can see this happen when you miss a pill while on the birth control pill and you experience some spotting or breath through bleeding.

If you have been taking the pill for more than six months as a long-term method of birth control it is common for the hormones to be out of your system within a month or two.

It can take longer for the birth control pills to be out of your system if you were taking a birth control pill with a higher dose of hormones. If your period still does not return for a few months after you have stopped taking the birth control pill, it is possible that you have amenorrhea which is when you have missed a period for three or more months.

Although it can take some time for your periods to return to normal, it is possible to ovulate a few weeks after stopping the birth control pill. If you are not using a backup form of birth control and do not have a normal period after three months since discontinuing the use of the birth control pill, it is possible that you have become pregnant.

If and when your period does return to what it was before taking the birth control pill for a few consecutive months you can assume at that point that the hormones from the birth control pill are no longer in your system.

What Are Some Alternatives to Birth Control Pills?

After coming off of the birth control pill, there are many other methods of birth control that are available to you. Some of the low maintenance options are the birth control implant or IUD. Both of these hormonal options are highly effective but are more expensive and much more invasive.

The birth control shot, vaginal ring and patch are hormonal birth control options that are used daily and up to three months until a new one is needed.

When looking at birth control options that are non-hormonal, the male condom is the most popular. Other options such as the female condom, diaphragm, sponge, cervical cap and spermicide are less effective but viable options. Finally, two other common but invasive forms of birth control are female tubal ligation and a vasectomy.

Many people consider the sterilization of males and females to be a completely effective form of birth control, however they are 99% effective, meaning it is still possible to become pregnant after this procedure. The only birth control method that is 100% proven to prevent pregnancy while also protecting is abstinence.

Many of the effective non hormonal birth control options such as condoms and diaphragms can be purchased over the counter at many drug stores, pharmacies or even grocery stores, whereas something such as an IUD or birth control implant will need a new prescription and would also require a new insurance claim for any possible coverage.

Conclusion

For woman looking to access birth control for preventing pregnancy, regulating their cycle or simply to help heal their acne, there are many birth control options available to them. With a growing demand for birth control, many companies are finding new ways to help to provide women with the necessary access to birth control pills.

It is hard to believe that sixty years ago it was illegal to even provide women with information on birth control methods, to now being able to connect with a licensed physician, provide your medical history and answer necessary questions to receive a prescription for the birth control pill online. This is a huge step in the right direction for family planning and women’s health.

Medical research and advancements have made it possible to have birth control pills that are safe for breastfeeding women and women who smoke, who previously were either not able to take the birth control risk due to the possibility of estrogen being passed to the infant or severe medical risks associated with estrogen and smoking.

Although there are still risks associated with the birth control pill and it is not safe for every woman to take, the prescribing doctor is able to guide you in the right direction depending on your specific circumstances.

The birth control pill has given women the opportunity to be able to have some control over the number of pregnancies they have by being able to simply stop taking the pill when they are ready to begin trying to conceive.

Any women who are looking to explore their birth control options can now easily contact their doctor and be presented with over fifteen options ranging in effectiveness. For more information on birth control pills, visit our homepage.

What Are The Most Common Birth Control Pills?

For your convenience this is the list of the top birth control pills, linking to our product page and the manufacturer’s website. If you have any questions about any of these products, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

This blog pro­vides infor­ma­tion about telemed­i­cine, health and related sub­jects. The blog content and any linked materials herein are not intended to be, and should not be con­strued as a substitute for, med­ical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any reader or per­son with a med­ical con­cern should con­sult with an appropriately-licensed physi­cian or other healthcare provider. This blog is provided purely for informational purposes. The views expressed herein are not sponsored by and do not represent the opinions of Nurx™.

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Take advantage of our limited-time, student-only offer and get one pack of birth control for free when you sign up for three months. Provide your email, birth date, state you live in and upload a photo of your student ID card to get started.

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